Missouri’s defensive front must set tone to slow Kansas offense

When Missouri and Kansas meet Saturday in Columbia for the first Border War football matchup since 2011, much of the attention, as usual, will be on quarterbacks. But the most important factor may lie at the line of scrimmage.

Missouri’s defensive front, hyped throughout fall camp, was dominant in the opener against Central Arkansas.

The Tigers racked up two sacks and seven tackles for loss, but more importantly overwhelmed an overmatched Bears offensive line in a 61-6 win.

Linebacker Josiah Trotter, the West Virginia transfer who stood out throughout camp, picked up where he left off last season with a tackle for loss and eight total tackles. Defensive linemen Chris McClellan and Marquis Gracial also made their presence felt.

This week, though, the challenge is very different.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels enters with seven touchdown passes through two games, already half his total from last season. He completed 18 of 20 passes in a 31-7 win over Fresno State, then threw for 280 yards and four scores against Wagner. KU’s offense has totaled more than 1,000 yards in two games, balancing 522 yards through the air with 492 on the ground.

Daniels is the key. A sixth-year quarterback with dual-threat ability, he has cut down on mistakes after throwing 12 interceptions in 2024. Kansas had 10 players record a catch in its opener and showcased new weapons such as Emmanuel Henderson Jr., who broke out with 130 yards and two touchdowns against Wagner, and Cam Pickett, who scored twice against Fresno State.

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That versatility has made the Jayhawks tougher to defend, but it starts with Daniels. If Missouri’s defensive front can keep him contained — collapsing the pocket, limiting his ability to extend plays and forcing him into quicker decisions — the Tigers’ chances increase dramatically.

“We want to be disruptive, to get offenses off schedule,” defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said during fall camp. “That starts up front.”

Disruption was the theme in Week 1. Missouri allowed just 227 total yards to Central Arkansas. The Tigers’ front consistently won at the point of attack, setting the tone for a defense that ranked among the SEC’s leaders in sacks and tackles for loss a year ago.

Kansas’ run game, powered by Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Leshon Williams, provides another layer to the challenge. Hishaw is the power back, while Williams adds burst and balance. Combined with Daniels’ mobility, the Jayhawks force defenses to defend sideline to sideline.

That makes discipline as important as aggression. Missouri’s linemen can’t afford to lose contain or let Daniels escape the pocket. Missed tackles could turn manageable plays into big gains.

The last time these programs met, in 2011, it was Missouri’s defense that sealed a 24-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium. Fourteen years later, the Border War returns, and once again, the game may hinge on whether the Tigers’ front can dominate the line of scrimmage.